Celebrating Balkan music – from traditional to folk, jazz to punk – the Balkan Trafik festival returned to Belgium for its 16th edition, landing in Brussels on 29 April and ending on 1 May. For the first time in two years, the event was held in person, following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions this year.

The four-day open-air festival brought together more than 150 different artists and musicians including international favourites such as Goran Bregović, Bernard Orchestar, and Rojaze.  On the closing day of the festival, the 10^th edition of the “Giant Horo” brought together troupes of dancers from across the Balkan region. They danced together in unison across the Grand Place of Brussels in a finale which was open to the public and free of charge.

In addition to music and dance, the festival also included street art, food and wine tasting, workshops and debates. Young European Ambassadors from the Western Balkans also participated in the festival as speakers and moderators on a debate about the role of art in peacebuilding, by presenting Western Balkan cuisine in a food tasting event and other activities.